Stress-Reduction Techniques

Rest and relaxation are an essential element of the detoxification process. But cleansing your body of toxins without doing the same for your mind means that the job is only half done. Here are some relaxation, meditation and visualization exercises to use during your detox, or whenever you feel tense, to still and rest your mind.

TENSION RELEASING EXERCISE

So many of us hold tension in our muscles. Being able to totally relax your body can have a deeply calming effect on your mind too. Leave an hour between eating and practising this exercise.

Turn off the phone and switch on the answering machine.

In a warm dark room lie on the bed or floor, making sure you are comfortable.

1 Starting with the toes of one foot, clench the muscles as tightly as you can and hold for five seconds. Clench them even further, hold for two seconds, then let go. Enjoy the feeling of relaxation produced. Repeat on your other foot.

2 Work up your legs, isolating and clenching the different muscle groups.

3 Work through your body and up your arms, ending with your face.

4 Enjoy the feeling of being totally relaxed. Inhale and then exhale very slowly.

5 Then start at your toes again and focus on a feeling of warmth throughout your body.

6 If you fall asleep, don’t worry. Otherwise take the relaxation deeper by imagining that you are lying on a magic carpet, floating through the air.

Note: use this technique if you have trouble sleeping.